Dear RFA families , Head teacher’s goodbye

Thursday 19th December 2019 -Issue 134

Coming up next term at RFA * JANUARY 2020

6th INSET

9th Year 3 & 4 Home Learning celebration

13th London Sea Life Centre trip — Aztec & Carib

14th London Sea Life Centre trip —Inca & Mayan

20th Ben Kinsella Knife Crime Workshop—Da

Vinci & 1/2 Hepworth

22nd Ben Kinsella Knife Crime Workshop—Van

Gogh & 1/2 Hepworth

23rd Ben Kinsella Knife Crime Workshop—Picasso

21st Height & Weight measurements—EYFS

31st London Transport Museum trip—Year 1

FEBRUARY 2020

3rd Discover Children’s Story Centre trip -

Adelie & Emperor

6th Discover Children’s Story Centre trip -

Rockhopper

10th—14th Careers Week—Year 5 & 6

11th Hever Castle trip—Everest

12th Hever Castle trip—Caspian

13th Hever Castle trip—Mandarin

14th Last day of term

24th First day of term

25th—28th Balanceability cycle training—EYFS

MARCH 2020

3rd Kew Gardens Trip— Year 2

5th World Book Day

5th Year 1 Home Learning Celebration

12th Year 4 Home Learning Celebration

16th—20th Shakespeare Week

17th Globe Theatre trip—Year 5

25th & 26th Parent Teacher meetings

APRIL 2020

3rd Last day of term

* Please note that all activities and dates are subject to change

LETTER LOG

Copies of every letter this school year are on the new section of our website called ‘Letters’.

In order to write my final goodbye, I went back to my words at the school’s opening ceremony in 2014. The children performed a special adaptation of ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ the words of which are painted in the green hall above the beautiful ship that the children collaboratively made.

The theme was one of adventure and embarking on a journey. Instead of Max, two rising 5s had just received a letter telling them that they would be starting at the Robert Fitzroy Academy in the following September. On their adventure they learned about Resilience, Focus and Aspiration and even went back in time to meet Robert Fitzroy himself as a young man.

We talked a bit about the history that he made (he did all sorts of extraordinary things) and I also said that we too were making history. We made history on that day – and we have continued to do so as we have built our brilliant school together.

I asked the children ‘What would Robert Fitzroy say if he could see this school that is named after him? Even more so today than back in June 2014 - I think he would be amazed as I have been throughout my time as head teacher in this wonderful community we have created together.

My biggest thanks goes to our wonderful pupils. Back then I promised that we would try our very best to make you resilient, focused, and aspirational learners. I think we have done that! I promised that we would make the Robert Fitzroy Academy an exciting place to learn. I think we have done that too! Finally, I promised that we would always think and dream big for all of our pupils. Well, we are not a school that does things in halves. Thank you for always motivating me to do my best.

Thank you to all of the RFA families who have been so supportive of what we are trying to achieve here. I have greatly appreciated the cards, emails, and personal messages. As I have a said time and time again this school belongs to you - it will be what you make it. Parental support is the most important thing to the success of a school

Thank you just doesn’t say enough to the amazing group of staff I have the privilege to lead. A leader’s job is to make themselves redundant and I can wholeheartedly say I am leaving behind the most inspiring group of professionals who will continue doing their very best for the continued progress of the school – all as leaders in their own right.

PLANNING AHEAD?

The term dates for 2020/2021 have been confirmed by our governors and are now on our website should you need them for future planning. https://bit.ly/2PtG9tZ

Finally, to the phenomenal Miss Bird who knows exactly what I mean when I say ‘What a journey this has been! I cannot think of anyone more perfect to have experienced this with nor anyone more deserving than you to take the helm.

PLANNING AHEAD?

The term dates for 2020/2021 have been confirmed by our governors and are now on our website should you need them for future planning.

https://bit.ly/2PtG9tZ

SPORTS REPORT RUGBY by Mr Whitehouse

On Thursday RFA competed in the Croydon Sports tag rugby competition held at Oasis Coulsdon. It was a muddy afternoon with lots of slipping and sliding. As always our team showed resilience and adaptability to the weather conditions, finishing 5th overall. Well done to the Year 6 RFA Rugby team. Denny, Breaze, La'Vanah, Amarni, Preston Jaminda, Mikey, Keisley, Jashane

We’ve been allotted an Allotment!

We are very excited to have hired an allotment space for our children to use as part of their 11B411 Seeds to Supper promise. We are hoping to involve as many children and parents as possible throughout the year. If you are interested in volunteering, please email any of us through the school office.

We are also looking for donations of gardening tools and wellington boots- if you are having a clear out over the holidays, please don’t throw these items away, we will use them!

Many thanks

Mrs Khialani, Miss Marner & Miss Langhorne

CAREERS

FAIR

2020

We are running our Careers fair once again this school year for children in Years 5 & 6. It will take place from Monday 10th—Friday 14th Feb.

We are looking for parent volunteers or friends of parents to come into school and share an insight into their careers with our children.

Please email Mrs Khialani at ask@robertfitzroyacademy.com

for further information

YEAR 4 – ROMAN EXPLORATION by Mr Doe

Earlier this term, Year 4 explored Lullingstone Roman Villa,

one of the most important archaeological sites in the

country. The inhabitants were wealthy Romans, and

some historians think that the villa was at one time home

to Publius Helvius Pertinax, Governor of Britannia in AD

185-6. The children studied the famous wall paintings,

which provide some of the earliest evidence of

Christianity in this country, and were surprised at just

how elaborate the Roman baths were. They also learned

about life in Roman Britain by examining artefacts such as

mosaics, tools and weapons, and particularly enjoyed

dressing up in period costume.

YEAR 6 – THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO NMM.. by Mr Robinson

International Week by Miss Khialani

This year, our geographical journeys began with a fantastic Bollywood performance by our mum/daughter duo.

Each class was allocated a country and throughout the week, carried out an in-depth study of its geographical features, culture and made comparisons with the UK. Children also reflected on our British Values of tolerance and mutual respect, by exploring diversity in London and what impact this has on their lives.

Our wonderful parents volunteered their time by hosting our International food market where children were able to taste culinary delights from Australia to Scandinavia. The week culminated with children ‘taking off’ and ‘landing’ in three different countries.

It was another brilliant aspirational week where the world was brought to our children’s fingertips and embraced whole-heartedly.

In November, the polar explorers of Year 6 put on their

warmest clothes, their boots and balaclavas and set off in

search of adventure as part of our ‘Frozen Kingdom’ topic.

After a long trek across the icy wastelands of London, we

finally arrived at our destination – the National Maritime

Museum, where we were greeted by Tom Crean, the

grandson of a famous Antarctic adventurer who

accompanied Ernest Shackleton to the South Pole in 1914.

He told us about the history of polar exploration and gave

us a few tips on what we would need to survive such a

gruelling trip. After chatting with him for an hour, the pupils

were free to look at some fascinating exhibits from the past,

including Captain Scott’s diaries, Shackleton’s rifle and a

stuffed penguin. Later, we had the privilege of handling

original diaries and letters from previous journeys to the

Antarctic – some of which were hundreds of years old!

SPECIAL MENTIONS THIS HALF TERM

Amma—Yoruba Sejasia—Wallaby Karol—Aztec Aiden—Caspian Manuel—Wallaby Sara—Kookaburra Faith—Niagara Falls Oscar—Rock Hopper Chloe– Ashanti Nia—Yoruba Saffron—Koala Kabe—Carib Agnes—Emperor Taylah-Mia—Picasso

Musa—Mandarin Victoria—Lake Tahoe Jazmine—Yukon River Khumo—Yoruba David—Inca Riley—Yukon River Nevaeh—Hepworth Reon—Van Gogh Nana—Zulu Leila—Caspian Lucas—Zulu Isabel—Yukon River Rhyanna—Kookaburra Ethan—Yukon River Ryan—Picasso Daniel—Adelie Adeline—Rock Hopper Ruby—Wallaby Isabel—Carib Kiyaan—Hepworth Charlie—Da Vinci Reon—Van Gogh Tamara—Everest Teagan—Inca Marcel—Mandarin Athena—Everest

Tabitha—Kookaburra Shia—Niagara Falls Joshua—Da Vinci Lana—Niagara Falls Josiah—Yoruba Brianna—Van Gogh Isaac—Inca Freddie—Ashanti Brianna—Van Gogh

Jacob—Picasso Hasan—Caspian Taye—Carib Aahna—Emperor Tia– Hepworth Latiece—Picasso Tianna—Lake Tahoe Preston—Da Vinci Isaac—Zulu Jennifer—Niagara Falls Leroy—Everest

Ismael—Emperor Leo—Rock Hopper Tamia—Carib Eron—Van Gogh Azariah—Mayan Millie—Aztec Melina— Lake Tahoe Aisha—Da Vinci Frankie—Emperor Aras—Rock Hopper Shannon—Hepworth Ana—Lake Tahoe Tylisha—Lake Tahoe Garv—Ashanti

Oliver—Caspian Zina—Adelie La’Meila—Rock Hopper Joshua—Lake Tahoe Emily—Wallaby Asia-Rose—Wallaby Faith—Kookaburra Cairo—Aztec Aimee—Mayan Diren—Everest Vihaan—Everest

Julia—Aztec Kuba—Mandarin

Georgie—Koala Antonella—Da Vinci Alexandra—Ashanti Saad—Zulu Wisdom—Mandarin Dimpho—Aztec Saphire—Picasso Logan—Carib Kezia—Yukon River Sianna—Caspian Jayrek—Niagara Falls CJ—Yoruba Alan—Koala Shanai—Inca